Plant Director

PLANT DIRECTOR - DAF BRASIL

SUMMARY: 

• The Plant Director is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations at DAF Brasil in support of PACCAR business objectives. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across production, quality, manufacturing engineering, logistics, maintenance, facilities, environmental management, safety, and continuous improvement. The Plant Director is accountable for achieving plant performance objectives related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with PACCAR policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Business Performance

• Lead plant operations to achieve business objectives for safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and execute plant strategies that support DAF Brasil’s business plan, PACCAR values, customer requirements, and long-term operational goals.
• Establish annual operating plans and ensure alignment between plant objectives and corporate priorities.
• Monitor key performance indicators and communicate plant performance, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Production Operations

• Ensure achievement of production volume, schedule, efficiency, and productivity targets.
• Optimize utilization of labor, equipment, facilities, and manufacturing capacity.
• Oversee production planning and control activities to support customer demand and inventory objectives.
• Drive operational performance through effective deployment of KPIs, including productivity, efficiency, and OEE.
• Ensure compliance with operational procedures, company standards, and regulatory requirements.

Safety, Health & Environmental Leadership

• Champion a world-class safety culture by developing, supporting, and sustaining proactive safety programs, corrective actions, and prevention initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all occupational health, safety, and environmental regulations and company standards.
• Promote employee engagement in safety activities and risk reduction programs.
• Support sustainability initiatives and responsible environmental management practices.

Quality Management

• Ensure products and processes meet DAF, PACCAR, customer, and regulatory quality requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve quality management systems, including ISO certifications and related standards.
• Lead customer quality performance, audit readiness, corrective actions, and preventive improvement initiatives.
• Drive customer satisfaction through consistent product quality and effective problem resolution.

Manufacturing Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Provide leadership for manufacturing engineering activities, including process optimization, equipment implementation, automation, and facility improvements.
• Lead new product introductions and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PACCAR Production System, root cause analysis, and data-driven problem solving.
• Support capital investment planning and execution to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness.

Logistics & Supply Chain Operations

• Oversee inbound and outbound logistics operations to ensure material availability and customer delivery performance.
• Optimize material flow, inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and distribution processes.
• Monitor logistics performance, cost efficiency, inventory accuracy, and supply chain risks.
• Ensure compliance with traceability, transportation, and regulatory requirements.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Ensure equipment reliability, availability, and operational effectiveness through robust maintenance programs.
• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance strategies.
• Drive improvements in MTBF, MTTR, equipment uptime, and maintenance cost performance.
• Partner with engineering teams on equipment upgrades, replacements, and reliability improvement initiatives.

Facilities Management

• Oversee plant infrastructure, utilities, security systems, and facility operations.
• Ensure efficient management of energy consumption, water usage, compressed air systems, and other utilities.
• Lead facility improvement and building maintenance projects.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient working environment across the site.

Financial & People Leadership

• Prepare, manage, and control the annual operating budget, capital budget, labor plans, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Ensure effective workforce planning and organizational capability to meet business needs.
• Develop leaders and support succession planning across manufacturing and support functions.
• Partner with Human Resources to support recruiting, employee engagement, performance management, talent development, and retention strategies.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field required.
• Master’s Degree.

Experience

• Leadership experience in manufacturing, automotive, heavy-duty vehicle, or related industrial operations.
• Significant experience leading large-scale manufacturing organizations with responsibility for production, quality, engineering, logistics, maintenance, and safety.
• Experience in strategic planning, budget management, capital project execution, and organizational development.
• Heavy-duty truck, automotive, or transportation-related manufacturing experience preferred.

Skills & Technical Knowledge

• Strong strategic leadership and business acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and develop high-performing leaders.
• Advanced knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, TPM, WCM, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and related management systems.
• Experience with ERP, MES, SAP, and manufacturing technology systems.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Financial planning, budget control, and capital expenditure management experience.
• Ability to lead through change and drive organizational transformation.
• Advanced English communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation).

Critical Competencies

• Strategic Leadership and Business Acumen
• Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
• Safety-First Leadership
• Quality and Customer Focus
• Financial and Budget Management
• Talent Development and Succession Planning
• Cross-Functional Leadership and Influence
• Innovation and Change Leadership
• Communication and Executive Presence
• Accountability, Integrity, and Sound Judgment